Germany's new parliament holds first session

DW (English)

The new Bundestag will face enormous challenges — like boosting the ailing economy and contending with the United States' shift away from Europe. The parliament will also have the biggest number of far-right lawmakers since World War II.

Transcript

00:00The first day is almost always about formalities, like finding your seat,

00:05updating your profile picture, meeting the new colleagues.

00:10Or, as the longest-serving member chairing the first session,

00:15that honour fell to Gregor Gysi of the Left Party.

00:18He took aim at the much larger presence of far-right AFD members

00:22whom he accused of undermining German values.

00:27Freedom, democracy and the rule of law cannot be defended with members of the House

00:32and a party that want to denigrate and marginalise German responsibility

00:37for the worst crime against humanity as a cult of guilt.

00:41Security services have labelled the AFD as a suspected far-right extremist organisation.

00:47It is now the second biggest party with 152 members.

00:52The faction is so big the parliamentary authorities forgot to build an extra row of seats at the back.

00:57I hope you're feeling comfortable on the foldable chairs back there.

01:01It's not just about rearranging the furniture.

01:04Other formalities include voting for a new Bundestag president.

01:08It will now be Julia Klöckner's job to maintain order in parliament.

01:14Of course, arguing is about style and also about respect for each other.

01:20I'm sure the way we deal with each other here and exchange arguments has an influence on society.

01:32That will be no easy task with Germany facing an economic recession, war in Europe

01:37and a challenge to transform its military.

01:40The debate in parliament is almost certain to be impassioned.

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